System and Method for Managing Momentum Accumulation

A system for managing momentum accumulation of a spacecraft in orbit may include a reaction wheel assembly for controlling an attitude of a body of a spacecraft, the body defining at least one face, and absorbing momentum, a plurality of arcjet thrusters coupled to the face to generate thrust, and a...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: MANSOUR SADEK W, MACTAVISH ANDREW I, HASKELL JOHN D
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:A system for managing momentum accumulation of a spacecraft in orbit may include a reaction wheel assembly for controlling an attitude of a body of a spacecraft, the body defining at least one face, and absorbing momentum, a plurality of arcjet thrusters coupled to the face to generate thrust, and a control processor coupled to the plurality of arcjet thrusters for controlling the thrust, wherein actuation of each arcjet thruster of the plurality of arcjet thrusters is configured to produce a net momentum accumulation in the reaction wheel assembly that is below a momentum saturation point of the reaction wheel assembly.